Microsoft Intern Program

Communication preferences

Model Answer

This model answer is an example of an individual experience. We encourage you to

read through this and reflect on how you have answered the questions. Did the detail
you provided in the final two questions reflect a deep self-analysis? Are there more
learning points that you could consider? Have you thought about how you can apply
this to your communication styles (both at work and in your personal life)? Does your
style change at work and home? Why? Take a look at the link at the bottom of the
page to complete a high-level free assessment of your communication preferences –
does it match with your initial analysis of your communication preference? What do
you need to consider when communicating with someone who has a different
style/preference to you? Have you set yourself any actions to leverage what you have
learned from this task?

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Step 1:
Example Answer

Rank your top 5

Behavior My top 7 (1 = most like you; 5 = least
like you)
Likes challenges 5
Results focused
Competitive
Determined 1
Assertive
Decisive
Risk Taker
Sensitive to others
Sociable
Emotional
Stimulating
Outgoing
Optimistic 4
Enthusiastic 3
Tactful
Calm
Patient
Dependable 2
Supportive
Accommodating
Procedure
orientated
Precise
Private
Systematic
Restrained
Likes numbers
Perfectionist
Critical of mistakes

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Step 2:

Now please complete your research. Here is a reminder of DiSC. The example
behaviors are drawn from the previous table.

Introducing the DiSC model

Step 3:

Following your research, answer the final 2 questions below.

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1. What have you learned about yourself from

the DiSC model?

Example Answer
I am a mixture of Dominance (D) and Influence (I). From the research I feel this is a
true reflection as I can identify with many of the behaviors and can see how this
comes across when I communicate and how I prefer people communicate with me.
I think I flex between D and I, depending on the situation. At work I’m more likely to
communicate in more of a D approach, but at home I think I communicate using I
more often. I find this really interesting that my ‘work’ and ‘home’ styles are slightly
different (even though they do cross over) and I can now easily identify this. This
means that if I can identify between these 2 styles, then I should be able to start to
identify other people’s styles and learn to adapt to them.

In my predominant work style, I could be seen as an abrupt communicator due to

where my focus is – on results, getting the job done, being assertive and being
challenged. This isn’t to say that this is my only way of communicating, as I do care
what other people have to say and how they feel (this is my I preference showing),
but this feels more natural when I am at home and communicating with friends and
family.

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2. What have you learned about DiSC and its

value when communicating with others?

Example Answer
I now understand why I get frustrated when people communicate with me in a
‘Steadiness’ or ‘Conscientious’ style, as this is not my natural way of communicating.
It has allowed me to understand this more from their perspective and appreciate why
they communicate in this manner. I also now recognize why I need to adapt to their
style at times, as my style probably frustrates them.

I think DiSC will help me adapt my conversation styles based on the other person’s
preferences. I now understand how to distinguish between the different
communication preferences. If someone is focusing their conversation around
numbers and being systematic, then I need to be mindful of this, so they get what
they need out of the conversation. Plus, this will help me influence the conversation
as they will be more likely to be interested in what I’ve got to say and value my input
if I respond to their preferred communication style.

I am also going to generally pay more attention to how other people communicate
so I can determine what their preference may be. Then I will be able to plan how to
interact and communicate with that person more effectively, so it meets their
communication style.

I think this will take a lot of practice, so I’m going to start doing this with my friends
and trusted colleagues first. I will see if I can identify their communication style, then
adapt my conversation and language to suit them. I will seek feedback from them
about how effective this is and what I could continue to work on to improve the way
I respond to different communication styles.

To try a free high-level assessment of your DiSC

style, use this link.
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